Las Golondrinas

“Most South of the Border Authentic”
Too often, crunchy fish tacos are just frozen fish stick’s little bro. I'm a skeptic. But this one is juicy and addicting. Two corn tortillas and cabbage—the way it should be—with a hint of lime-spiked creamy Baja sauce, then a slab of battered fish. Grab plastic cutlery and matching plastic tables outside (there’s four at the most). In high school, we called it “Los Gol” and never missed one-buck Taco Tuesdays. [Scene: Full of nearby workers and students who like “down and dirty” Mexican food.] Address: 34069 Doheny Park Road, Capistrano Beach, CAWebsite:theguide.latimes.com/restaurants/latcl-las-golondrinas-mexican-food-venue

Baja Fish Tacos

“Best Tongue Kick”
Grilled fish tacos have a rap for being blah-blah-bland, but this one is blackened with peppers and offers a karate chop-kick. It doesn’t need much else, but the salsa bar is hard to resist. Near the self-service fountain drinks, reach for itty-bitty plastic cups and stuff them with chopped cilantro, jalapeños and tongue-torching salsas. Flour is their default tortilla— slightly defiant since corn is the classic. [Scene: Full of suburbanite families and couples digging the fast casual with sitdown scene.] Address: 30242 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CAWebsite:bajafishtacos.net

Wahoo's Fish Tacos

“Best All-Around Chain”
It’s the Double Arches for SoCal. A local chain with an iconic long-bodied epinomious mascot. They’ll do blackened, unblackened, in a bowl or hugged by a tortilla. With white rice and beans on the side, or without. It’s fresh, fast and solid at all Cali, Colorado, Nevada and Texas locations. [Scene: Full of anyone who just gets life.] Address: 1133 Pacific Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA, and various othersWebsite:wahoos.com